Crystal River, Three Sisters Spring, Florida, USA Nov 8, 2023

Crystal River, Three Sisters Spring, Florida, USA

Manatees have a fascinating history that spans millions of years. They are closely related to elephants and can be traced back to the Eocene era (about 56 to 33.9 million years ago), making them one of the oldest mammals on Earth. These slow-moving herbivores have, over time, adapted to life in warm, coastal waters. Known for their friendly demeanour and unique whiskered faces, these sleepy creatures have always been welcoming towards humans. Sadly, they have been exposed to various threats, such as habitat loss and boat collisions, due to which raising awareness has become essential. So, if you visit Crystal River and come across a West Indian manatee, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate them, but from a distance.

© Karine Aigner/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Celebrating Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Nov 8, 2024Glacial rivers, Iceland
Nov 8, 2025Bandon Beach in Bandon, Oregon, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 21, 2024Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
Aug 3, 2025Blooming sunflowers
Big rocks, big heads
Nov 11, 2025Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest, Germany
Dec 16, 2025Handmade gnomes at a Christmas market
Jul 27, 2024Vineyards above the Moselle River, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
A small but mighty guardian
Were halfway there
May 4, 2025Mysuru Palace, Mysuru, Karnataka
Feb 22, 2025Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Jun 28, 2024Stonewall uprising anniversary
Jan 6, 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
Feb 14, 2025Happy Valentines Day!
Nov 13, 2023Serra de Tramuntana, Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain
Jul 15, 2025Muchalinda Sarovar, Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Apr 22, 2024Earth Day
Dec 27, 2025Plate ice along Lake Superior, Minnesota, United States
Jan 16, 2026Leopard at Etosha National Park, Namibia
Feb 8, 2024Mount Hood, Oregon
Oct 17, 2023Persepolis, Iran
Sep 16, 2023Splügen Pass, Switzerland
Sequoias of the sea
Oct 2, 2024Gandhi Jayanti
Sep 20, 2024Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
Mar 18, 2024Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
Shining city on the hill
The ancient ruins of Nalanda
Jul 18, 2024Coral Reef Awareness Week
Dec 11, 2025International Mountain Day
Nov 2, 2025Maple and bamboo forests in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan